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The Incheon Metropolitan Elderly Protection Agency is visiting local sites every month to run elder-abuse prevention campaigns and raise public awareness.
According to the agency on the 15th, the campaign is held at least eight times a year, excluding the peak summer and winter periods. Each month, staff visit welfare event venues where residents gather.
The most recent activity was the "Michuhol-gu Senior Health Expo" held on the 10th. At the event, hosted by the Michuhol Senior Welfare Center, the agency met with about 1,000 residents. Participatory programs ranged from pledges to practice the seven rules of elder-abuse prevention to making a "filial piety" tree, quizzes on types of abuse, and surveys on later life.
At the event, the agency explained how to report abuse cases when discovered and the handling system, and publicized the elder-abuse reporting number. It also conveyed the severity of the situation facing victimized elderly people.
The campaign continued throughout the first half of the year. Following the 10th Elder Abuse Prevention Day commemorative event in June, the agency set up a booth at the "Our Neighborhood Welfare Counseling Center" in Namdong-gu's Mansu Jugong Complex 7 in May, meeting about 100 residents. In the second half of the year, it will expand its scope by partnering with the Gwangyo Senior Welfare Center and others.
Park Eun-kyung, head of the Incheon Metropolitan Elderly Protection Agency, said, "Since elder abuse still occurs frequently, we will work on prevention by publicizing the reporting number, methods, and handling system." She added, "We will steadily continue the campaign in cooperation with local elderly-related institutions."
